Columbus Moving Picture Show to bring rarely screened films to the city this weekend

With the advent of streaming, sometimes it seems as though every classic movie is just a click away.

Not so fast, say the organizers of the Columbus Moving Picture Show.

Even casual cinephiles are likely to have seen “Singin’ in the Rain” or “The Searchers,” but what about “Man, Woman and Sin,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby” or “Blaze of Noon”?

Each are among the scarce flicks to be screened at the Columbus Moving Picture Show, an annual classic film event that operated under the name Cinevent from 1969 through 2021. This year’s edition — the second bearing the title of the Columbus Moving Picture Show — will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel.

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“Our show is very much catered towards the hardcore fans who come at it from a scholarly perspective,” said Samantha Glasser, who runs the Columbus Moving Picture Show. “People want to learn about the movies as much as they want to watch them.”

The four-day event — for which all-weekend passes cost $80 and single-day admission costs $25 — features a bevy of seldom-seen films.

All but a single movie will be projected on 16mm film, and prints have been sourced from private collectors.

What's being screened?

A wide array of genres will be represented — from animation (an animation program at 10:15 a.m. Saturday) to crime (“Mystery of the White Room” at 11:15 p.m. Saturday) to war drama (“The Unknown Soldier” at 10:10 a.m. Sunday).

“We love comedies, but we try not to be too heavy-handed on the comedies,” Glasser said.

In fact, two of this year’s highlights are dramas.

Showing at 3:30 p.m. Thursday is the 1956 film “Come Next Spring,” starring Steve Cochran as an alcoholic who walks away from his family, including his wife (Ann Sheridan). The movie will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

“(Cochran’s character) has since reformed and tries to return home,” Glasser said. “His family doesn’t feel like he’s their family. His kids don’t recognize him.”

The score to the film was composed by Max Steiner, the subject of a biography by Steven C. Smith. The author will give a talk at noon Friday — one of eight such seminars that will take place over the weekend.

Another can’t-miss drama is sure to be the 1930 film “Only the Brave,” showing at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Starring Gary Cooper as a Union Army officer in the Civil War, the film was made prior to the establishment of the censorious Motion Picture Production Code — a period of free expression and cinematic daring in Hollywood known as the “Pre-Code” era.

“Pre-Codes are always popular, and Gary Cooper is a draw,” Glasser said “This is a film that isn’t really seen. We actually have somebody who saw that we were running it and he said, ‘I’ve been looking for a print of that forever. Will you get me in touch with the person who is providing it?’”

Comedy connoisseurs will have plenty to enjoy, too: Numerous comedies will be shown, including a program devoted to silent film comedian Charley Chase at 10:15 a.m. Friday.

What's for sale?

Like Cinevent, the Columbus Moving Picture Show draws film fans not just for what’s being screened but also what’s for sale.

A large dealer room — operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday — will include dozens of tables of merchandise and collectibles.

“You can find anything at any price point that’s related to classic movies,” Glasser said. “There will be posters, there will be inserts, there will be lobby cards, there will be film stills. … You can find 16mm film. Some people bring 35mm, some people bring 8mm. You can find DVDS, Blu-rays, some VHS, some LaserDiscs.”

Payment methods vary by dealer; some accept credit cards, but attendees should bring cash, Glasser said.

Who's coming?

The event also includes book signings on Friday and Saturday. In addition to Max Steiner biographer Steven C. Smith, film writers Richard Barrios, Toby Cohen, James D’Arc, David Drazin, Bob Furmanek, Maggie McCormick and Nick Santa Maria will be on hand to sign copies of their tomes.

Many screenings will also be introduced by film scholars or experts.

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How can I do or see everything?

You likely can’t! Although screenings all take place in a single screening room, other events may overlap with film showings. And to peruse the dealer room at any length, attendees may have to sacrifice a movie or two.

“You do have to choose how you want to spend your time,” Glasser said. “For me as an attendee at Cinevent, it was always fun to look at the schedule ahead of time: ‘OK, I want to see this film, so I’ll have this much time to spend in the dealer room and then I’ll have to be back.’”

A 60-page program book is given to attendees to help them schedule what they want to do or see over the weekend.

Where do I park?

Valet parking at the hotel will be available for $17 for Columbus Moving Picture Show attendees, Glasser said. Street parking is nearby.

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At a glance

The Columbus Moving Picture Show will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, 50 N. 3rd St. Single-day admission costs $25 and weekend passes cost $80; both are available at the door. For more information, visit columbusmovingpictureshow.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Moving Picture Show coming Downtown Thursday through Friday